I've been watching the news with increasing horror and disbelief. The flooding in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire is so much worse than I had imagined, and the fact that it is happening in high summer seems extraordinary.

Obviously if Forums members have been seriously affected we're not going to find out until later, but I thought a supportive thread was in order so that you know we are thinking of you, and if you live in those areas but are OK please let us know.

As the waters build up along the Thames another whole swathe of people are being put on alert.

Our thoughts and good wishes go to all of you.

We were trapped for a while in the car but have rescued the car after being rescued ourselves. We live on a hill so our cottage is OK but the the cottage next door but one is down a level and water is seeping through the walls as the ground is so saturated. Jill says the smell is the worst part as they are trying to dry out the carpet. We are taking care of a friend's house while they are abroad, but we can't get to it yet to check it out as the road is closed. Our fingers are crossed.

We're ok ourselves, but our town is badly hit. Everyone has a story to tell.
One of my flute pupils and her family were living upstairs yesterday, no news so far, I don't know if they are trapped or rescued. My pianist has taken in a 'refugee', and an elderly friend of our was evacuated with no warning, has since heard that all her possessions have been ruined. It was a bunglow, so no upstairs to store things in. She's ok and with family, but has nothing left

Hope everyone is OK...

Yes I agree completely, andante_in_c, and a very good thread to start. Like you, I've felt horror and disbelief, and it's been really quite scary watching the power of the water and knowing that nobody can stop it.

Thinking of everybody who's affected, and hoping that you've had support from the authorities to help to cope with it as it's nothing short of a national disaster.

We're still around 100m from the Thames. The current Environment Agency prediction is that we will equal 2003 levels (which resulted in our being around 10m from the Thames....). The smaller river 400m the other side of us has burst as usual, but not as bad as 2003 - yet!

My family in Oxford and Abingdon are still in their houses, albeit a bit worried that they may not be if the river peak comes up much further....

Our thoughts go out to everyone who's caught in this. HazelKay, I'm glad you're now safe.

My commiserations to those who are suffering from the floods.

Nice to see Dave Cameron on the news spouting off about government policy on this issue. I knew Tony Blair was a devout man, but I didn't think he or Gordon had a direct line to Him Upstairs to ask for the rains to cease.

I wondered if, 12 months ago, Dave would have been stood in the same spot bleating on about how poor the local government drought planning and water conservations plans had been. It is a pity when politicians try to make capital out of other people's misery. Shame on them!!

My thoughts go to anyone who's been affected by the flooding and bad weather.

Good thinking Andante - thanks for starting the thread.

Hazel - glad to know you are safe.

I have to admit we watched in fascination on Friday as the road outside turned into a river - just from the rain coming down. We live almost at the top of a hill and are nowhere near a river of any kind - although there is a small pond opposite our house. We were fortunate that the water swirled round in the road outside and disappeared gradually down the hill - but it was clear that for about half an hour the rain was winning - quite alarming really.

Commiserations to anyone affected, and hope everyone's families are safe.

Hi everyone,

Have just been able to get back online, we have had no internet for most of the weekend, and this morning no electricity, not sure how long it will be on for now as the floods are seriously effecting the power plant. Haven't decided whether to cancel my students this afternoon.

Water pressure, practically non existant, but we are much better off than most of Gloucester, (I live on outskirts) at least we still have some.


Hubby didn't get home until 10.30 last friday, everywhere was just cut off. Will see if swimming pool in next town is open later so we can at least have a shower, going to start to stink soon

Biggest problem is all the panic buying in Tesco, yesterday morning, Hubby went in to get paper, and all the water had sold out, we were only vaguely aware there was a problem at that time.

Glad to hear you're safe, Digby. Hope things get sorted soon.

Oh goodness, this sounds horrific Best wishes to those affected.

Best wishes to everyone in England affected by this.

Just heard at a party that there is going to be a housing development built on the flood plain of a river up here in Scotland!!! *slaps forehead at the stupidity*

We've heard that parts of Gloucester have lost power this morning. The spokesman from Severn Trent water was saying that drinking water would run out within the hour yesterday afternoon, but still going at the moment (Cheltenham). We've filled lots of saucepans etc and are awaiting events. Friends in the area have lost water and power already. Seriously considering decamping to relatives in Wales or Isle of Man if it all goes pear-shaped. We have a well in our cellar so unlikely to run out of water any time soon, but loss of power would be tricky. Haven't been to the shops yet but I hear there has been a run on milk, potatoes, bread etc, usual panic buying. I intend to eat up the contents of the freezer in anticipation of power cuts and we shall drink juice if need be.
Heartfelt sympathies to those who have been flooded - its the very worst thing to happen to your home. Wondering if David is OK (dcm, gloucester)..

My drinking water is still on and they said, apparently, that it would go off yesterday if it was going to - so really hoping that means it won't affect me this far out. I heard it is round Tewkesbury that the water plant has a problem? and obviously, electricity currently on.

I'm fortunate in that both me and my mum who lives 4 miles away are both in houses slightly raised from the surroundings, so nothing indoors. I got stuck at my mum's and didn't get my piano lesson which was a bummer but a fairly mild effect so I'm lucky I know. The road in the centre of mum's village was unpassable in 2 (maybe 3 - didn't get as far as the 3rd likely spot) places and a stream that hasn't flooded in my lifetime broke its banks A car got washed into the Leadon, as far as I know no casualties though.

We had bad flooding in Newent 2 years ago (the Onion Fayre was ankle deep through the whole of town) but think that was more localised. It seems we have escaped the worst of it so far, so we've been lucky this time. Friends who have been into Gloucester said it was bad there - I know of 3 different people who got stranded, and the bus service into the Forest from Gloucester was discontinued (no idea if it is back), and there've been a couple of road closures. My sister-in-law's parents, who've only just sorted out from a foot of flooding in their garage, now have 3 feet of water in the garage and a foot in the house this is the other side of Cheltenham (Cleeve)

So far the effects round here have been relatively mild though *phew* I was worried that my patio might get flooded which if it got high enough would start leaking into the house but I'm relieved to say that once again it never got quite high enough - very lucky! Hope other local forumites are escaping the worst *hugs*

I've always found the Labour party absolute experts when it comes to making political issues out of things........

I think they're all pretty good at it, regardless of allegiance

Thinking of every one who has problems and hope all returns to normal as soon as possible. Really do feel for those who have had their homes and possessions spoiled or destroyed. Love to all.

Sorry to hear about all the people effected by this terrible weather. Can't help thinking that if this was going on abroad Government would be falling over themselves to help..

The flooding is horrible!

I was almost stuck on the M5 Northbound on Friday evening on my way to work from Bristol to Cheltenham. Left home at 7.45 pm, got stuck in a jam for 20 minutes on the M5 and then managed to escape at Junction 13. Tried to head north towards Gloucester on the A38 but traffic was at a standstill so did a U-turn and then tried to head north to Cheltenham via Stroud. That was also bumper-to-bumper. Decided to scamper off on a country road which joined the A38 further north which was clear and headed to Gloucester. Tried to take a turning to the A417 to Cheltenham but that particular junction was closed by the police due to flooding. Had to take an alternative route via Gloucester City Centre and got stuck in a massive jam for 40 minutes. Managed to get out of that eventually and got to the A46 towards Cheltenham. That was also jammed the whole seven miles, so after 20 minutes, I scampered off again via a country road and managed to get to work at 11.00 pm! My colleague was not as lucky, he was stuck on the M5 overnight!

I hope that the rains stop soon and that no further misery is caused to those affected by the floods.

David lives not far from me, although I'm not sure exactly where, he should be ok as our little bit is not too bad at the moment and (touch wood) tends to stay fairly clear, we are slightly higher than the bit they keep showing on sky news and have a canal between us and the river.

I've just noticed it's raining again here now, BUT nothing even close to as heavy as the other day, so here's hoping it doesn't get worse.

On Friday my daughter went to her piano lesson in a neighbouring village and there was no sign of any flooding. When I went back an hour later I had to negotiate with the fire brigade to collect her as all roads into the village were sealed off and several houses were under a few feet of water. The owners were just standing in the road looking completely shocked. It happened suddenly when a stream burst its banks. I think they had very little warning.

There are several homes in my village that have been flooded by the widening Thames and of course many more have been flooded in nearby Abingdon and Oxford. Many roads around here are closed because of flooding. I don't like to go out in case I get stranded by rising water levels.

I feel so sorry for those who have flooded homes, and no drinking water or electricity.

my poor piano teacher got flooded, lost her piano and all her music. they couldn't get stuff upstairs quickly enough. i can't even imagine how awful it must be i'm from tewkesbury but fortunately safe up in manchester at the moment

Andante a really good idea.

My thoughts and hugs go out to everyone affected. I heard on the news this morning that in many areas for the first time in days the water level has stopped rising, so there is a start.

I saw it on the news yesterday, it was an awful sight. Best wishes to everyone affected I hope things will be better soon!

My sympathies to all of you who've been affected so far. It's good to hear news of all the members who are in the worst-affected areas. Thank you for checking in.

Despite living nowhere near a river our road flooded unexpectedly in November last year due to local site clearing which affected the drainage. Our house was fine, but one in our road was flooded to a depth of six inches. As I was off at Market Harborough that day (having adventures of a totally unrelated kind) I knew nothing about it until much later the next morning. It's staggering how life can change so drastically so quickly and without warning.

Commiserations and prayers for all those suffering so badly in the floods. I should think ABRSM are glad the exam season is all but complete, otherwise one has to imagine lots of examiners stranded or simply not able to arrive.

However, that's a small problem compared to the misery being suffered by those affected. I visited a friend in Oxford two weeks ago (who's still ok thankfully) but the thought that where I travelled in some cases is now underwater makes me realise how awful it must be for the folk involved.

Up here in East Anglia, Lincolnshire's taken a bit of a pounding in places, and Berks/Bucks/Beds are "on alert" but I think the rest of us are ok for now. Locally, we know the going's getting bad when the ducks in the local village pond can swim to the supermarket (has happened twice in the 18 years we've been here) but such events are usually short-lived and, as our house is on a hill (well, hills as East Anglians call hills ), we've not been affected yet. I think if we get flooded, then most of East Anglia will have disappeared!

Take care all who are affected and check in to let us know how you are (assuming you have computer power to do so).

We're thinking of you.

One of my pupils cancelled this morning because they are flooded in Winchcombe (new piano for them, then) and another who lives a very short distance away has no water. Our water pressure has definitely dropped off in the last hour. Just been interrupted by eldest - downstairs loo cistern is leaking! Talk about bad timing, grrrr!

Hmmm, I'm going to go check the water.....

My best wishes to everyone affected by the flooding. Yesterday hubby rang Alexander's Godmother who lives in Malvern. Malvern is practically cut off, although her family is all OK.

I had to drive to Nottinghamshire on Saturday. Grantham was definately getting a pounding, but fortunately the A1 was still moving. Things seemed to get much better as I travelled north of the Trent.

I had no trouble getting to Bury St Edmunds today. East Anglia doesn't seem to be as bad off as other areas.

As I was travelling on Saturday my hear went out to all those caught on Motorways. I only had brief delays due to broken down vehicles unlike those unfortunate people who were stuck on the M5.

Andante, this was an excellent idea! Glad to here that the forumites in the affected region haven't been hit too bad. Lets hope that the water levels will subside soon.

Jo

Apparently at least 6 months before we can get everything sorted...and we weren't even that awful. We had 4 foot in the basement...

If anyone is in need of an escape bed and a bit of nurture because of the floods we have two beds in our summerhouse. We live on the border of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

Hazel thats a lovely thing to offer I dont need it but just wanted to say awwwww your lovely!!!

Do you know which villages have been flooded?

The Canal here burst its banks well and truly, as did the cherwell - luckily theres a fairly substantial hill between the residential bit and the water. Town Centre got very wet though, swimming pool is 'closed for the forseeable future' and one of my work colleagues had the contents of the sewer system floating in her garden We got off lightly though, looking at the news... I'll be praying for those affected.

If we are flooded there will be a guy with a big boat full of animals passing by.

I hope everyone's ok.

I'm going to Oxford for the POS Oundle course tomorrow morning and my mum is panicking, having read the newspapers today, but I'm assuming if anything had happened or was likely to affect us they would have contacted us before we drive down there! It is quite scary to think of all this happening while it's fine and even sunny here 'up North'.

Collecting survivors in pairs only, presumably?

Best wishes to everyone suffering from floods. Hoppe things get back to normal for you all soon.

We've had a bit of mud in our basement due to the drains not being able to take the water but it's nothing compared to what some poor folks are suffering.

If your are driving into Oxford from the North you should be OK, although they have been advising people not to travel into the city. Today the Abingdon Road (from South) and Botley Road (from West) were closed due to flooding and there are major roadworks at The Plain Roundabout (next to Magdalene Bridge to the East of the centre of Oxford), but they might have suspended the roadworks now. Actually getting into the city is difficult (at least from where I live). The level of the Thames in Oxford is expected to peak sometime tonight, so it might be best if you check what has happened to Oxford tomorrow morning. I know of a lot of people around here who have had their homes flooded but the centre and north of Oxford are on slightly higher ground so should be OK.



I only know a few of the ones that have had flood problems near to where I live.

Apparently someone in Tewkesbury looked at the floods out of their window and a couple of Koi Carp swam through their garden. Honestly

No water now, but there are water tanks dotted around the streets and plenty of bottled water in the big supermarkets so not too bad, except can't have nice hot shower

Best wishes and thoughts are with all those affected by the flooding.

Thanks for the info We will check up tomorrow at some ridiculously early hour before we leave!

Best wishes to all those affected by the floods. I can't imagine what you're going through, it's really awful.

Apparently the place I was on holiday last week is now flooded, with the river near where we were staying having burst its banks.

I echo Rachel's sentiments. Although I live in Herefordshire, I have not been affected.

Best wishes and thoughts for those affected in any way by the flooding. I have been watching it on the news and have been shocked at the conditions in England at the moment. Luckily we have been escaping the worst of it.

Drove from Sussex to Scotland yesterday - very glad not to have done it the day before, and having seen the flooding from the motorway, our thoughts are also with those who've been stuck in the middle of it all...